Interior Health Releases Guide for Tick Season Prep

Interior Health has released a helpful guide for the community as tick season approaches this spring. With more people expected to spend time outdoors hiking in tall grass or wooded areas, Interior Health is urging caution to prevent tick-related illnesses.

Ticks are small bugs that feed on the blood of humans and animals and can sometimes transmit diseases. To avoid any potential health risks, Interior Health has provided a list of tips and tricks on their website on how to avoid ticks and safely remove them.

Dr. Fatemeh Sabet, Interior Health medical health officer, emphasized the importance of taking precautions such as covering up before heading outdoors and doing a skin check after returning from outdoor activities. While most tick bites do not result in illness, it is essential to clean any bite to prevent infection.

Additional precautions recommended by Interior Health include walking on clear trails, wearing protective clothing, applying insect repellent, and regularly checking for ticks on clothing and pets. If a tick is found, it is crucial to remove it carefully using needle-nose tweezers and to clean the area with soap and water afterwards.

Lyme disease-carrying ticks are more common in coastal areas of B.C., but Interior Health advises anyone with symptoms compatible with Lyme disease to see their physician. While wood ticks are the most common type of tick in the region and do not carry Lyme disease bacteria, they can still transmit other diseases.

Ticks can also produce toxins that can cause temporary muscle weakness and paralysis if left attached for several days, especially in children or seniors. Symptoms of tick-borne infections can include fever, headache, muscle pain, and rash.

As spring approaches and more people head outdoors, Interior Health’s guide serves as a reminder to take necessary precautions to avoid tick-related illnesses. Stay informed and stay safe this tick season.